RS DESIGNSPARK PCB PRO AND EASYPC ARE NOW COMPATIBLE  

Some may know that RS's Designspark PCB layout tool was originally derived from the excellent Numberone Systems EasyPC product.

However licencing constraints meant the the two were not interchangeable.

This has now changed with the launch of Designspark PCB PRO which means design files generated in either of these tools can be now opened and edited in the other. 

These tools can also read files from the free version of Designspark, however in this instance the free version cannot open files created by these.

This means we can now offer design files in either EasyPC or Designspark PCB PRO formats when fulfilling your PCB project design requirements.

HY-PAC HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF

Very pleased to have been involved in the complete design/firmware/PCB development for OCTOPUS TEST SYSTEMS for their HY-PAC (Hydrostatic Pressure Automatic Cut-off).

The HY-PAC (Hydrostatic Pressure Automatic Cut-off) provides an overpressure control capability for hydrostatic test systems where multiple test pressures and hence over pressure settings are required. The system features a contact gauge fitted into the hydrostatic pressure circuit and a control box fitted into the low pressure hydro pump air supply and is powered by a standard mains supply. The contact gauge is set to the desired over pressure by moving the needle to the required pressure on the gauge scale, if during testing an over pressure situation occurs the contact gauge trips sending a signal to the control box which in turn closes the internal solenoid valve which isolates the air supply to the hydropump and hence stops the hydrostatic pressure from increasing any further. Upon closing the solenoid valve the internal timer also begins and after 30 seconds a buzzer activates indicating to the operator that hydrostatic pressure can now be removed manually. If during this 30 second hold period the hydrostatic pressure drops such that the contact on the gauge is released the ‘fault’ LED illuminates indicating that the system under pressure is not able to hold a hydrostatic pressure and would more than likely indicate a leakage. If during operations a power cut occurs the control box solenoid will immediately close which will stop the hydro pump hence ‘failing safe’. Retro fitting HY-PAC into existing systems is relatively simple and in most cases the standard working gauge can be directly replaced with the HY-PAC contact gauge, the control box wall mounted and fitted in-between the LP air supply feeding the hydro pump. The contact gauge is then connected to the control box via a right angled plug and the power adapter (supplied) connected to a mains supply and the system is ready to go.